LOVE Island returns this evening, with a Worcester lad rumoured to be among those to shake up the series.

The hit ITV2 dating show begins with a semi-professional footballer, a model and a luxury event host among the singletons heading into the villa in Mallorca.

In the initial cast are Shannon Singh, Sharon Gaffka, Aaron Francis, Hugo Hammond, Liberty Poole, Jake Cornish, Kaz Kamwi, Brad McClelland, Chloe Burrows, Toby Aromolaran and Faye Winter.

New episodes will air on weekdays at 9pm, with the first episode being an hour and 35 minutes and the remaining instalments airing from 9pm until 10pm.

If you miss an episode you can catch up on the ITV Hub.

Among the names rumoured to be appearing on this series as one of the bombshells to shake up the villa is James Price, 23, who was previously romantically linked to 2019 contestant Lucie Donlan.

James, who is originally from Worcester, is reportedly in final talks with producers, who are "really keen on signing him this year".

The MailOnline's insider added: "He’s cheeky, fun and handsome – and will be a sure-fire hit with the female contestants, while he’s also on the lookout for his dream girl."

The insider said the recruitment consultant now lives in Fulham and spent "a lot of time before the pandemic partying in Chelsea.”

The show this year is being filmed on a Covid-secure set in Majorca, on the outskirts of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, with Laura Whitmore presenting and comedian Iain Stirling providing the show’s voiceover.

The show could run for upwards of six to eight weeks, with contestants hoping to couple up and last to the end of the series.

In the final the winning couple chosen by the public is given two envelopes - one with the £50,000 prize money, the other with nothing inside.

The contestants with the cash then chooses between love or money, as they're given the option to either share or steal it from their partner, keeping it all to themselves.

No one in the history of the show has ever taken the prize money all for themselves.